From our data exploration of the study by Pritchard et al., (2017), we observed an attraction of avian species to highly infected (White Oak) forest stands. This attraction can be attributed to the increase in deadwood percentage, loose wood, and number of cavities that results from the infection. These forest characteristics create microhabitats for birds by increasing food, shelter, and nesting sites (Bennets et al., 1996). To test for significance between these infection levels in forest parameters we used a permutational ANOVA and a pairwise comparison using Tukey's adjustment. From these parameters, the only significant one was deadwood percentage. Additional parameters that were significant between the two mistletoe levels include the amount of bark swelling and avian species. The optimization of avian diversity within forest ecosystems should include factors such as the ones described in this study. Furthermore, we have concluded that there is no obvious relationship or pattern indicating that there is a large number of avian species that have strong similarities to microhabitat types. When testing for significance in these trends, the only species that was recorded in significantly different abundances among sites was the black capped chickadee. The high values in mean squares found throughout many of the independent variables indicates that the overall model is a good estimate of the true differences in the study.
The major conclusions related back to our research objectives are as follows:
Objective 1) Percent of deadwood, amount of loose wood and number of cavities increased in forests with high infection levels. The only one with a P value lower than 0.05 was percentage of deadwood which indicates significance.
Objective 2) There was a significant relationship between the presence of avian species being more abundant among high mistletoe sites over low infection sites. Although this relationship occurs, there is no obvious relationship that indicates that there is a large number of avian species that have strong similarities to microhabitat types.
The findings from our study can help to inform decision makers on how to most effectively manage avian biodiversity in mistletoe infected forests. The management method that is expected to preserve the most biodiversity of avian species and individuals is prescribed burning. In addition to this, managers can use information from our study to make informed decision in forestry practices to ensure that the biodiversity of avian species within the area are not at risk of loss.
The major conclusions related back to our research objectives are as follows:
Objective 1) Percent of deadwood, amount of loose wood and number of cavities increased in forests with high infection levels. The only one with a P value lower than 0.05 was percentage of deadwood which indicates significance.
Objective 2) There was a significant relationship between the presence of avian species being more abundant among high mistletoe sites over low infection sites. Although this relationship occurs, there is no obvious relationship that indicates that there is a large number of avian species that have strong similarities to microhabitat types.
The findings from our study can help to inform decision makers on how to most effectively manage avian biodiversity in mistletoe infected forests. The management method that is expected to preserve the most biodiversity of avian species and individuals is prescribed burning. In addition to this, managers can use information from our study to make informed decision in forestry practices to ensure that the biodiversity of avian species within the area are not at risk of loss.
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